They used to be labeled ‘the guy who hung around footy players’, but wingers have completely taken over these days. So who are the most valuable in the NRL?
Rugby League games can’t be won without a decent forward pack, but that part of the equation will only keep a team competitive.
It’s also paramount to have some polish out wide, finishing off opportunities.
The better wingers are also looking for tough carries out of a team’s own end of the ground — their ball-running ability has never been more vital.
Now having already looked at our choices for the best 24 players for 2024, along with our top 10 fullbacks, it’s time to turn our attention to the wing position.
Because with season 2024 now our focus, what better way to get ourselves properly set for the action?
It’s a contentious topic that’s bound to ignite debate and fire up group chats. Because it’s a position that, these days, demands a multitude of requirements.
But please also understand we’re determined to build a more balanced and logical list than what you’ll find on other click-hungry publications.
Our winger rankings consider 2023 form generously, plus what’ we’ve seen from them’s happened in the past that remains a relevant data point; projectable climb-or-fall metrics.
So here are the best NRL wingers, according to our experts, as we all look towards the 2024 NRL season.
READ OUR OTHER TOP 10s: FULLBACKS, CENTRES, HALVES, HOOKERS, EDGE FWDS, MIDDLES
The 10 best NRL wingers for 2024
1. Brian To’o
Coming into another season as a defending champion and the premiere winger of the competition seems to just be the norm now for Brian To’o.
For the third consecutive year, To’o averaged over 200 running metres to go alongside his 21 tries and 109 tackle breaks in 2023.
2. Greg Marzhew
Turn away Titans fans, cause Greg Marzhew has become one of the best flanks in the competition under Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien.
Statistically, Marzhew was the best winger in 2023, scoring 22 tries, making in excess of 200 metres per game, breaking 177 tackles and had one of the fewest error rates out of anyone in his position.
He may not be the flashiest winger you’ve ever seen but the stats clearly don’t lie.
3. Jamayne Isaako
A new start for Isaako in 2023 at Redcliffe has done wonders; winning the Dally M winger of the year and finishing second on the try-scorers list.
Acrobatic finishes in the corner is what Isaako is known for, but he brings so much to the table with his excellent running game and supreme conversion kicking.
4. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Joining Isaako on stage on grand final week at the Dally M’s was Watene-Zelezniak, to recieve winger of the year as well after a blistering season with the Wahs.
Scoring over a try a game and making metres for fun created many highlight reels for us NRL supporters this year, and it looks bright there across the ditch for 2024.
5. Selwyn Cobbo
From State of Origin, to a Grand Final appearance, and now being selected for Australia. There’s no knowing when Cobbo is going to stop impressing us.
Scoring 20 tries this year landed the young Queenslander in the top 10 try scorers for the season, complementing his staggering 111 tackle breaks.
There’s no arguing that Selwyn Cobbo is one of the best NRL wingers going around, but limiting his errors will need to be a point of emphasise next year.
If the mistakes can dry up, expect this runaway talent to climb even higher on this list as we look towards season 2025.
ALSO READ: The 10 best fullbacks for season 2024
6. Dom Young
Can you believe Dom Young was dropped this season and came back to lead the league in tries scored with a mammoth total of 25!
Off to the Roosters in 2024, Young will be a welcomed addition to a side that needs a little extra spark out wide after a disappointing season from Daniel Tupou and Joseph Sua’ali’i.
7. Sunia Turuva
It seems to be all fun and games playing on the wing at the Penrith Panthers with Turuva having an incredible Dally M Rookie of the Year season in 2023.
Sunia Turuva averaged 165 running metres per game and broke tackles for fun, totalling 124 – second amongst all wingers behind Greg Marzhew.
8. Ronaldo Mulitalo
Mulitalo statistically had a strong year in 2023 even though it seemed as though he wasn’t playing his best rugby league football.
He came fifth on the try-scorers table with 21 tries and was still at his allusive best with 76 tackle breaks.
9. Phillip Sami
Phillip Sami has to be one of the most underrated players in the league, but here at Only Sports we notice the quiet overacheivers.
Scoring 11 tires, running for an impressive average of 172 metres and breaking 114 tackles definitely makes Sami one of the best NRL wingers heading into 2024.
10. Mikaele Ravalawa
He’s a try scoring machine despite his side struggling for the past couple of years. But Mikaele Ravalawa is undoubtably a top-class winger in the NRL through his white-line fever and unmatched strength.
21 tries in 21 games, an average of 148 metres a game and 78 tackle breaks gives Ravalawa the tenth spot on our best NRL wingers heading into season 2024.
Honourable mentions
Reuben Garrick & Murray Taulagi
Both rough to miss out, but Garrick spent too much time playing in other positions due to Manly’s injury crisis and Taulagi statistics weren’t quite enough to get him a top ten finish.
However we do need to acknowledge that Taulagi is an Origin and International winger.
